“The Haywain” by John Constable RA is one of the most iconic and easily recognisable paintings in the world. Apparently it is the most reproduced image of all time. The original is a large oil painting which presented me with many challenges if I wanted to include it in my ‘Inspirations’ series. My watercolour above was originally meant to be a sketch for the main painting later on. It gave me an opportunity to work through the challenges. As it was meant to be a sketch I deliberately left out the haywain itself to save time. But although I was still considering this as a sketch I took my time and concentrated closely as I wanted to do justice to the original masterpiece and the great man himself. I had to work from background to foreground which is standard watercolour practice. Constable is rightly famous for his knowledge of cloud formations so I worked carefully with my sky, sticking as close to his original as my free flowing watercolour would allow. It turned our quite well as did the background landscape. This was not as detailed as the original but the painting was now beginning to take shape. As I moved forward the painting just sort of ‘flowed’. It’s hard to explain but if you have ever painted you will know what I mean – everything went perfectly and easily and suddenly it was done. Constable was criticised in his own lifetime for his ‘snow’ – the white highlights on his paintings. I had used a bit of masking fluid on the mill pond but made my ‘snow’ by scratching out with a sharp craft knife. For once I was very pleased with the way it had turned out. I feel I have captured the flavour of that beautiful landscape and got a good density of colour enough even to rival an oil painting. My only regret now was that I had not included the haywain in my ‘sketch’. But surprisingly all was not lost. It transpired that Constable had also added his famous haywain as an afterthought. He had to send back to Suffolk where his cousin did several sketches of haywains for him. When he received the drawings back he was able to use them to complete his masterpiece in his London studio. This means that it is more than possible that his original painting waited in his studio unadorned by the famous haywain until he received the drawings and would have looked similar to mine. I have never redone the painting with the haywain in place but maybe I should one day! What do you think? Glenn

I feel the painting should be left as is.... I am a published poet and for me to change a word or line that was originally orchestrated through my craft would say to me that I don't trust me in my creation......It was what's from the heart, mind and soul with each initial creation. Unless it was a Typo......lol

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Glenn Marshall

19/12/2014 11:23:29 am

Lovely comment Anglia. I totally agree with what you say about your poetry and would normally apply it to my work too. This was painted in homage to one of my great inspirations and I was so pleased with the way it turned out that I decided to leave it as it was. I was not trying to compete with the master but felt I had done his painting justice. I have toyed with the idea of redoing on a larger scale and including the haywain but I feel that if I do I may lose what you rightly identify as the most important part of any work of art - my heart! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. It is much appreciated. perhaps you would let me know your website as I would love to read some of your work. Glenn

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dalton perry

19/12/2014 11:36:08 am

I would leave it as is, or do something uniquely you in the same or other space. l am also a publisbed poet (which only means l'm occassionally into submission), l, however change my work constantly. l can hardly read my work without cahanging somethin. l also save every draft. l suupse a painter can save any sketch, and change any work, , but once it's hungit's done. Similar approaches to the two arts, but people see paintings, l'm convinced most poets go to the table of contents, find and read their work, and a page or two eitber direction, then place it on the shelf.

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Glenn Marshall

20/12/2014 04:03:06 am

Thanks for your comment Dalton and thanks for sharing the similarities in our work. I suppose that it is the probably the same for all creative activities including music. It is always difficult to know when to stop but certainly with this one I am resolved to leave well enough alone. As I explained to Anglia - any revisiting the work would involve my eye and hand i.e. the techniques - but I don't know if I could engage my heart.

Very beautifully done ... my mom had a reproduction of The Haywain in her living room ... it reminded her of her life on the farm when she was a girl, so I'm very familiar with it. Your interpretation is truly lovely!!

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Glenn Marshall

21/12/2014 04:03:00 am

Hi Lois. Thanks for sharing this with me. It is one of those paintings that just 'works' for all of us which just emphasises the genius of Constable. I have to say that I am so pleased how my tribute turned out and will definitely leaving well enough alone. Glenn